How can I take better photos of a newborn at home?

Question

I’m a new parent and want to make more appealing photos of my newborn daughter. Older babies seem easier to photograph, but newborn images are harder for me to get right. What techniques work best for newborn portraits at home—such as posing, lighting, focal length, composition, or timing?

user48 · Accepted Answer

Photography is about telling a story. Start there. Think about the message you want to send, and then craft a picture around it.

Technique wise, there isn't much different about photographing a newborn that wouldn't also apply to other portraiture (much of which, in turn, applies to all photgraphy). The only things I can think of that might be different are:

Be careful with your flash, so as to not to wake or startle your kid. Lean towards natural light whenever possible.
"Getting in close", which is good advice, means getting in really close for your small subject. Consider getting a lens with good close-in/macro performance.

Beyond that, look for general portraiture techniques, both here and in other resources. Here's some quickies:

Use off-axis / off-camera lighting, including natural lighting.
Use diffuse lighting. (Especially important for newborns as it makes them look more delicate)
Keep the eyes in focus above all else
Use shallow depth-of-field whenever possible to bring your subject out from the background
Try to fill the frame with face; it makes for a more interesting photo

How can I take better photos of a newborn at home?

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